NBA All-Star Game: Team Shaq cruises to victory as new tournament format comes under fire

Yahoo

17-02-2025

In an All-Star tournament that was met with pushback for its format and its coverage, Team Shaq prevailed on Sunday when the basketball was all said and done.
In the three-team mini-tournament, Team Shaq's squad of All-Star veterans defeated Team Candace's roster of non All-Stars in the semifinal round. It then rolled past Team Chuck's squad of international All-Stars via a 41-25 victory in the final to secure the title of 2025 All-Star champions.
Each player on Team Shaq secured a $125,000 prize for the victory. Team Chuck's runners-up earned $50,000, while the semifinal losers secured $25,000 each just for making it to Sunday.
After facing a challenge from Team Candace's Rising Stars team in the semifinals, Team Shaq started the final on fire with an 11-0 lead, sparked by eight early points from Jayson Tatum. Team Chuck never challenged as Team Shaq cruised to a 41-25 win.
Tatum led the way with 15 points, including the game-winning bucket. Warriors star Stephen Curry added 12 points in front of a San Francisco crowd.
In between and sometimes during the games, the broadcast featured commentary and banter from comedian Kevin Hart that distracted from the basketball and was met with vocal criticism on social media.
The tournament format itself, meanwhile, was the subject of harsh criticism on the TNT broadcast from Draymond Green.
Playing without an injured LeBron James, Team Shaq averted disaster in the second semifinal of Sunday's All-Star mini tournament.
Led by nine points from Damian Lillard, Team Shaq scored a 42-35 win over Team Candace's roster of Rising Stars.
In the first-to-40 format, Team Candace kept pace with Team Shaq for much of the game that was tied at 28-28. But Team Shaq pulled away with a 14-7 run to secure the win and avoid losing to a team of non-All-Stars. Team Shaq missed a bunch of shots down the stretch as they tried to end the game on a 3-pointer while sitting on 37 points.
Officials then ignored an obvious foul of Kevin Durant as Team Shaq sat on 39 points in an apparent effort to avoid having the game end on the free-throw line.
The refs might have missed one here. pic.twitter.com/8KDX4LP9KY
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 17, 2025
Damian Lillard eventually put the game to bed with a deep 3 to secure the win.
DAME TIME FROM DEEP FOR THE WIN 🚨The Oakland native puts on the finishing touches...Shaq's OGs will face Chuck's Global Stars in the #NBAAllStar Championship on TNT! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/fvhN5rpcgc
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025
Team Shaq advances to face Team Chuck in the final.
Behind an outburst from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and some actual All-Star Game defense from Victor Wembanyama, Charles Barkley's team of international stars struck first Sunday night.
Team Chuck cruised to a 42-31 win over Team Kenny in the first semifinal, which featured a lineup of young stars headlined by Jalen Brunson and Evan Mobley. Anthony Edwards was a DNP with a lingering groin injury.
Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 12 points, including the game-winning bucket. Gilgeous-Alexander beat Jaren Jackson Jr. off the dribble and put Team Chuck over 40 points with a two-handed dunk. The first team to 40 points in the semifinal round wins.
SGA WINS IT FOR CHUCK'S GLOBAL STARS 🚨Scoring the final 5 PTS...They'll advance to the #NBAAllStar Championship on TNT! pic.twitter.com/BAHSxAQejt
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025
Gilgeous-Alexander's easy path to the bucket with the game on the line won't assuage critics tired of the lack of defense in the All-Star game. But Victor Wembanyama at least made an effort in his first All-Star game debut.
He finished with six points, four rebounds, one steal and this block of Cade Cunningham in the winning effort for Team Chuck.
WEMBY BLOCKS CADE CUNNINGHAMHE ISN'T MESSING AROUND pic.twitter.com/XQdAYxloSG
— WembyMuse (@Wemby_Muse) February 17, 2025
Similar to the Rising Stars challenge, the NBA All-Stars will competed in a three-game tournament. The All-Stars were split into three teams — through an All-Star Draft conducted by TNT analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith. The first two matchups were Team Shaq vs. Team Candace Parker, and Team Chuck vs. Team Kenny. Parker's team qualified Friday as the winner of the Rising Stars Challenge when it was coached by Chris Mullin, and it features Stephon Castle, Dalton Knecht, Jaylen Wells, Zach Edey and others.
For each game in Sunday's tournament, the winner will be the first team to reach or surpass 40 points.
As for prize money, each player on the championship-winning team will receive $125,000; each player on the second-place team will receive $50,000; and each player on the third- and fourth-place teams will receive $25,000.
The All-Star teams are comprised of the East and West starters (voted by fans, players and media members) and reserves (voted by coaches). Trae Young and Kyrie Irving were named as injury replacements for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis, respectively.
Here's a breakdown of the rosters (listed in order of how each team was drafted).
Shaq's OGs
LeBron James, Lakers*
Stephen Curry, Warriors
Anthony Davis, Mavericks*
Jayson Tatum, Celtics
Kevin Durant, Suns
Damian Lillard, Bucks
James Harden, Clippers
Jaylen Brown, Celtics
Kyrie Irving, Mavericks
Kenny's Young Stars
Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
Jalen Brunson, Knicks
Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies
Jalen Williams, Thunder
Darius Garland, Cavaliers
Evan Mobley, Cavaliers
Cade Cunningham, Pistons
Tyler Herro, Heat
Chuck's Global Stars
Nikola Jokić, Nuggets
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks*
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
Pascal Siakam, Pacers
Alperen Şengün, Rockets
Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks
Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers
Trae Young, Hawks*injured
Team Candace
Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
Ryan Dunn, Phoenix Suns
Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Golden State Warriors
Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers
Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies
Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets (added by Parker after Friday's games)
Team Shaq defeated Team Chuck, 41-25, to win the inaugural NBA All-Star tournament.
The final of the NBA ASG tournament came back from commercial break and an insane gift ceremony occurred to honor the TNT crew of Ernie Johnson, Shaq, Chuck and Kenny.
I repeat: A live game — with Team Shaq leading Team Chuck, 11-3 — was stopped and billion of dollars worth of All-Stars sat around and got cold so they could watch the TNT studio show hosts get a bunch of gifts to honor their roles in the promotion of the game. Oh yeah, and Kevin Hart was once again the host of it.
Like most the evening, it went over like a lead zeppelin:
The extended breaks in these games are really tough. We're now on to honoring the end of Inside the NBA on TNT when everyone knows its headed to ESPN next season.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) February 17, 2025
Worst All-Star 'Game' EVER
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 17, 2025
LMAOOOOO WHY DIDNT THEY DO THIS CEREMONY NOT WHEN THE GAME WAS GOING ON
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) February 17, 2025
If Steph and KD walked out during that 30 minute tv time out, I would not have blamed them https://t.co/eFDDv6DVpK
— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) February 17, 2025
The amount of sitting Chuck's team has had to do throughout the night is bonkers.
— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) February 17, 2025
It's hilarious watching these players try and warm up every 35 minutes dude You can tell they're even bewildered by all this
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) February 17, 2025
It's almost 11pm on a Sunday night. What are you doing @NBA? https://t.co/GrCcfydXXQ
— Ed. (@DepressedDETN) February 17, 2025
STEPH RUNNING 3 OFF ONE LEG 😤😤He opens the scoring in the #NBAAllStar Championship Game on TNT! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/fEMoVt3mOG
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025
Team Shaq's OGs defeated Team Candace's Rising Stars, 42-35, but it wasn't easy.
Team Shaq had numerous opportunities to put the game away, but needing just three points with a 37-31 lead, the veterans opted to take a lot of 3s — and missed them.
Finally, Damian Lillard, who led his club with nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from long distance, hit a 3 to give Team Shaq the victory and a ticket to face Team Chuck in the final.
For those into such things, Team Candace spent most of the day at BetMGM as a 7.5-point underdog, but went off as only a 6.5-point dog as the game tipped. Landing on seven had major ramifications, once again illustrating the importance of getting the best of the number.
Steph splashes for THREE 💦(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/enD01jFmkE
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 17, 2025
The NBA making its All-Star game less and less about basketball while complaining about NBA players not taking it seriously is about all you need to know about the state of NBA discourse in 2025.
— Micah Adams (@MAdamsStatGuy) February 17, 2025
Oh God. Now it's the comedy sketch again. F me, man. This used to be one of the best weekends of the sporting calendar. I used to LOVE it. Invite my friends over. Watch the game again. Blow this up. It's over. Praying NBC fixes this next year.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 17, 2025
Can the sandman come out with the hook? This is cooked
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) February 17, 2025
Lebron knows this format sucks lol pic.twitter.com/1ObBtr3mc8
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) February 17, 2025
The new format is good. The first game was good. Don't ever give Kevin Hart or Draymond a mic again.
— Heath Cummings (@heathcummingssr) February 17, 2025
I get what Draymond is saying about the disservice guys like SGA and Wemby will see with this new format. He can say this format sucks but let's not ignore how we got here, the guys just didn't care. The games have been awful.
— Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) February 17, 2025
with all due respect they gotta cut Kevin Hart's mic
— Jake (@SuperiorNBA) February 17, 2025
Been about 10 minutes of basketball and 50 minutes of not-basketball
— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) February 17, 2025
Start the damn game! Doing too damn much. Jesus Christ
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) February 17, 2025
I swear I'm not trying to be cynical but everything outside of the actual games tonight — which have been great — has varied from terrifying to cringe.
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) February 17, 2025
Why does it take 78 minutes for the next game to start?!
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) February 17, 2025
Worst All-Star 'Game' EVER
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 17, 2025
Now they getting present with gifts. During the Allstar game. This couldn't be on the post show? They aren't going off air anyway bruh they just won't have the all star game 😂
— Jay (@1jreezy) February 17, 2025
LMAOOOOO WHY DIDNT THEY DO THIS CEREMONY NOT WHEN THE GAME WAS GOING ON
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) February 17, 2025
The extended breaks in these games are really tough. We're now on to honoring the end of Inside the NBA on TNT when everyone knows its headed to ESPN next season.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) February 17, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards did not participate for Team Kenny in the opening game of All-Star Sunday's new format due to a groin injury, he said afterwards.
There was no indication in the lead-up to the game that Edwards would not participate.
Edwards played his usual 36 points in a 15-point victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, compiling 23 points (5-of-18 shooting), seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
Mr. Beast, the YouTube sensation, hosted a shooting contest between Damian Lillard and a fan for $100,000. The fan had to make one shot from the logo near halfcourt before Lillard made three. Lillard made two, but before he could sink his third the fan banked in the winning shot.
🚨🚨THIS FAN JUST WON $100,000🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/Av7cxG1Sdu
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 17, 2025
The All-Star players, just as hyped as the fans, showered the fan with congratulations.
Team Chuck topped Team Kenny in Game 1, 41-32, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander icing the contest with a dunk.
SGA shot 5-of-5 for 12 points in a game in which Anthony Edwards curiously did not play for Team Kenny.
The TNT broadcast said The Athletic reported Edwards had groin soreness.
SGA ICES GAME 1 😤Chuck's Global Stars move on to the Final Rd of the #NBAAllStar Mini-Tournament ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/YId5BJCAsE
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 17, 2025
The NBA and commissioner Adam Silver want the All-Star event to be taken more seriously, with players actually competing.
But the four-man booth for Game 1 — Shaq, Candace Parker, Reggie Miller and Brian Anderson — was all about jokes and topics other than the game during the early going.
The broadcast also gave time during the game to Ernie Johnson and Kevin Hart, who were sitting with coaches Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith. Hart screamed a lot about whatever as action on the court took place.
I have wondered for a very long time who the Kevin Hart fans are? Where they are? Why does Adam think he's an ambassador lol. https://t.co/8GPCvBz5ku
— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) February 17, 2025
When the broadcast went back to the actual broadcast booth, it was Anderson trying to give updates on the action, while his broadcast mates wanted to talk about anything except the action on the court.
The issue: If the action isn't interesting enough for the folks calling the game, why should anyone else care?
Then after the first game, Draymond Green ripped the new format, trashing everything about it. The NBA continues to lead American sports in giving monster platforms to voices who continue to tear apart, ridicule and denigrate its game. Some would say that isn't an optimal strategy when so much money and time are involved in "promoting" the game.
The NBA needs to take a hard look at this game presentation.
Led by Victor Wembanayama, the NBA's young stars are injecting some energy into the All-Star Game for the first time in years. In a back-and-forth battle, Wembanyama has wreaked havoc on both ends, inspiring everyone to compete.
WEMBY'S FIRST #NBAAllStar POINTS 👽Hops into the lane and stuffs it with the left!Chuck's Global Stars 14 PTS away from 40 on TNT 👀 pic.twitter.com/e998eS9CJU
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA NíO QUER SABER DE RELAXAR NO ALL-STARJÁ TEM 2 TOCOS NO JOGO pic.twitter.com/RG7bWFBAaQ
— Matchup Brasil 🇧🇷🏀 (@MatchupBR) February 17, 2025
The All-Stars are actually trying
Victor Wembanyama is here to play some All-Star game defense:
WEMBY BLOCKS CADE CUNNINGHAMHE ISN'T MESSING AROUND pic.twitter.com/XQdAYxloSG
— WembyMuse (@Wemby_Muse) February 17, 2025
Tyler Herro and Karl-Anthony Towns trading ridiculous 3s:
HERRO DRAINS THE 3. 👀KAT FOLLOWS UP FROM THE LOGO. 🎯First to 40 advances... #NBAAllStar on TNT pic.twitter.com/9zy0xPdb07
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025
In the first NBA All-Star tournament game, featuring Team Chuck vs. Team Kenny, it was Evan Mobley of Team Kenny who scored the first points of the new format.
In transition, the Cavs big man was on the receiving end of an alley-oop from Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams.
Mobley added another bucket as Team Chuck led 17-12 at the first timeout of the contest, which will be decided by the first to 40.
And we're underway. There's no game clock in these games. First team to 40 points in the semifinals wins.
Here are the rosters for the opening game:
Team Kenny
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota TimberwolvesJalen Brunson, New York KnicksJaren Jackson Jr., Memphis GrizzliesJalen Williams, Oklahoma City ThunderDarius Garland, Cleveland CavaliersEvan Mobley, Cleveland CavaliersCade Cunningham, Detroit PistonsTyler Herro, Miami Heat
vs.
Team Chuck
Nikola Jokić, Denver NuggetsTrae Young, Atlanta Hawks (replacing Giannis Antetokounmpo)Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City ThunderVictor Wembanyama, San Antonio SpursPascal Siakam, Indiana PacersAlperen Şengün, Houston RocketsKarl-Anthony Towns, New York KnicksDonovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
All-Star intros full of pomp and circumstance are over. Team Kenny vs. Team Chuck is up next.
Introducing Chuck's Global Stars!🌟 #NBAAllStar is LIVE on TNT pic.twitter.com/kc0nJ6QNDw
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025
Introducing Kenny's Young Stars!🌟 #NBAAllStar is LIVE on TNT pic.twitter.com/od0CL6nTbe
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, speaking before the All-Star Game, pledged to participate in a 1-on-1 battle next season, if the NBA decides to add the event to its festivities.
"If I had the chance to play 1-on-1 with anybody, I would love to do it," he said. "Anything that can make the weekend more exciting, more fun for the viewers, for the fans and for the players, I would love to participate. ... If it's a 1-on-1 competition, I would love to participate."
He gives himself a pretty good shot, too.
"I think sometimes you forget, to be a good 1-on-1 player, you've got to be able to play both ways," he said. "You've got to get a stop to get the ball. You don't get a stop, you're not getting the ball. It's kind of hard, say, if Kyrie Irving is going against [Victor Wembanyama]. He's got to get a stop. But it would be fun. It would be fun. I would love to participate if next year there's a 1-on-1 tournament. I would love to participate."
Is he sure?
"I can't make no promises," he said, "but if I'm healthy, I'd probably do it.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James will be sidelined for the All-Star Game on Sunday night, as he manages the ankle soreness that has plagued him for the past few seasons, ending his record-setting streak of 20 consecutive All-Star Game starts.
"I was hoping that it would feel a lot better this morning, but it's just not where I wanted it to be," said James. "With 30 games left and us trying to make a playoff push in the wild, wild West, I feel like it's very important for me to take care of myself and understand what was coming on.
"It is maintenance, but at the same time I have to look out for myself when it comes to this injury I've been dealing with for years."
James flew from Los Angeles to San Francisco on Sunday and will return later in the night.
"There will be no vacation for me," he said. "I head back to L.A. tonight and back to the rehab tomorrow and getting ready for practice on Tuesday."
His availability for Wednesday's home game against the Charlotte Hornets is questionable.
More on James' absence.
SAN FRANCISCO — NBA commissioner Adam Silver sees all and hears all: the praise of where his game is or, most importantly, the constant critique the NBA is subject to, almost on a daily basis.
The never-ending 3-point discussion, one that even he has chimed in on at times.
The money element, the financial decisions that have played a big part in trades involving Luka Dončić, Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns, and the standoff with Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat.
The officiating, the challenges with a million camera angles and a million more opinions on social media and in NBA locker rooms.
And he's even contributed to it in ways, jokingly throwing gasoline onto the discourse by suggesting 10-minute quarters instead of the usual 12 — a suggestion that earned a decent amount of criticism.
'I try to read it all, frankly, and we try to absorb it at the league office,' Silver said during his annual news conference at All-Star Weekend inside Chase Center. 'I think the state of the game is excellent. I think it's the media's role, the fans' role, it's perfectly appropriate to be critical of the game, and I find it very helpful. I'm not one of those people who said I don't read criticism.'
How Silver is trying to shape the league.
Nobody was beating Mac McClung in his three-peat bid.
The Magic G Leaguer was once again the runaway slam dunk contest winner for his third-straight title Saturday night in a performance for the ages. He started things with a dunk worthy of a closer and continued to wow with each successive dunk. Each of McClung's dunks earned a perfect 50 score.
Catch up on all of NBA All-Star Saturday night.
Team Shaq defeated Team Chuck, 41-25, to win the inaugural NBA All-Star tournament.
The final of the NBA ASG tournament came back from commercial break and an insane gift ceremony occurred to honor the TNT crew of Ernie Johnson, Shaq, Chuck and Kenny.
I repeat: A live game — with Team Shaq leading Team Chuck, 11-3 — was stopped and billion of dollars worth of All-Stars sat around and got cold so they could watch the TNT studio show hosts get a bunch of gifts to honor their roles in the promotion of the game. Oh yeah, and Kevin Hart was once again the host of it.
Like most the evening, it went over like a lead zeppelin:
The extended breaks in these games are really tough. We're now on to honoring the end of Inside the NBA on TNT when everyone knows its headed to ESPN next season.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) February 17, 2025
Worst All-Star 'Game' EVER
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 17, 2025
LMAOOOOO WHY DIDNT THEY DO THIS CEREMONY NOT WHEN THE GAME WAS GOING ON
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) February 17, 2025
If Steph and KD walked out during that 30 minute tv time out, I would not have blamed them https://t.co/eFDDv6DVpK
— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) February 17, 2025
The amount of sitting Chuck's team has had to do throughout the night is bonkers.
— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) February 17, 2025
It's hilarious watching these players try and warm up every 35 minutes dude You can tell they're even bewildered by all this
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) February 17, 2025
It's almost 11pm on a Sunday night. What are you doing @NBA? https://t.co/GrCcfydXXQ
— Ed. (@DepressedDETN) February 17, 2025
STEPH RUNNING 3 OFF ONE LEG 😤😤He opens the scoring in the #NBAAllStar Championship Game on TNT! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/fEMoVt3mOG
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025
Team Shaq's OGs defeated Team Candace's Rising Stars, 42-35, but it wasn't easy.
Team Shaq had numerous opportunities to put the game away, but needing just three points with a 37-31 lead, the veterans opted to take a lot of 3s — and missed them.
Finally, Damian Lillard, who led his club with nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from long distance, hit a 3 to give Team Shaq the victory and a ticket to face Team Chuck in the final.
For those into such things, Team Candace spent most of the day at BetMGM as a 7.5-point underdog, but went off as only a 6.5-point dog as the game tipped. Landing on seven had major ramifications, once again illustrating the importance of getting the best of the number.
Steph splashes for THREE 💦(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/enD01jFmkE
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 17, 2025
The NBA making its All-Star game less and less about basketball while complaining about NBA players not taking it seriously is about all you need to know about the state of NBA discourse in 2025.
— Micah Adams (@MAdamsStatGuy) February 17, 2025
Oh God. Now it's the comedy sketch again. F me, man. This used to be one of the best weekends of the sporting calendar. I used to LOVE it. Invite my friends over. Watch the game again. Blow this up. It's over. Praying NBC fixes this next year.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 17, 2025
Can the sandman come out with the hook? This is cooked
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) February 17, 2025
Lebron knows this format sucks lol pic.twitter.com/1ObBtr3mc8
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) February 17, 2025
The new format is good. The first game was good. Don't ever give Kevin Hart or Draymond a mic again.
— Heath Cummings (@heathcummingssr) February 17, 2025
I get what Draymond is saying about the disservice guys like SGA and Wemby will see with this new format. He can say this format sucks but let's not ignore how we got here, the guys just didn't care. The games have been awful.
— Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) February 17, 2025
with all due respect they gotta cut Kevin Hart's mic
— Jake (@SuperiorNBA) February 17, 2025
Been about 10 minutes of basketball and 50 minutes of not-basketball
— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) February 17, 2025
Start the damn game! Doing too damn much. Jesus Christ
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) February 17, 2025
I swear I'm not trying to be cynical but everything outside of the actual games tonight — which have been great — has varied from terrifying to cringe.
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) February 17, 2025
Why does it take 78 minutes for the next game to start?!
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) February 17, 2025
Worst All-Star 'Game' EVER
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 17, 2025
Now they getting present with gifts. During the Allstar game. This couldn't be on the post show? They aren't going off air anyway bruh they just won't have the all star game 😂
— Jay (@1jreezy) February 17, 2025
LMAOOOOO WHY DIDNT THEY DO THIS CEREMONY NOT WHEN THE GAME WAS GOING ON
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) February 17, 2025
The extended breaks in these games are really tough. We're now on to honoring the end of Inside the NBA on TNT when everyone knows its headed to ESPN next season.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) February 17, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards did not participate for Team Kenny in the opening game of All-Star Sunday's new format due to a groin injury, he said afterwards.
There was no indication in the lead-up to the game that Edwards would not participate.
Edwards played his usual 36 points in a 15-point victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, compiling 23 points (5-of-18 shooting), seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
Mr. Beast, the YouTube sensation, hosted a shooting contest between Damian Lillard and a fan for $100,000. The fan had to make one shot from the logo near halfcourt before Lillard made three. Lillard made two, but before he could sink his third the fan banked in the winning shot.
🚨🚨THIS FAN JUST WON $100,000🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/Av7cxG1Sdu
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 17, 2025
The All-Star players, just as hyped as the fans, showered the fan with congratulations.
Team Chuck topped Team Kenny in Game 1, 41-32, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander icing the contest with a dunk.
SGA shot 5-of-5 for 12 points in a game in which Anthony Edwards curiously did not play for Team Kenny.
The TNT broadcast said The Athletic reported Edwards had groin soreness.
SGA ICES GAME 1 😤Chuck's Global Stars move on to the Final Rd of the #NBAAllStar Mini-Tournament ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/YId5BJCAsE
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 17, 2025
The NBA and commissioner Adam Silver want the All-Star event to be taken more seriously, with players actually competing.
But the four-man booth for Game 1 — Shaq, Candace Parker, Reggie Miller and Brian Anderson — was all about jokes and topics other than the game during the early going.
The broadcast also gave time during the game to Ernie Johnson and Kevin Hart, who were sitting with coaches Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith. Hart screamed a lot about whatever as action on the court took place.
I have wondered for a very long time who the Kevin Hart fans are? Where they are? Why does Adam think he's an ambassador lol. https://t.co/8GPCvBz5ku
— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) February 17, 2025
When the broadcast went back to the actual broadcast booth, it was Anderson trying to give updates on the action, while his broadcast mates wanted to talk about anything except the action on the court.
The issue: If the action isn't interesting enough for the folks calling the game, why should anyone else care?
Then after the first game, Draymond Green ripped the new format, trashing everything about it. The NBA continues to lead American sports in giving monster platforms to voices who continue to tear apart, ridicule and denigrate its game. Some would say that isn't an optimal strategy when so much money and time are involved in "promoting" the game.
The NBA needs to take a hard look at this game presentation.
Led by Victor Wembanayama, the NBA's young stars are injecting some energy into the All-Star Game for the first time in years. In a back-and-forth battle, Wembanyama has wreaked havoc on both ends, inspiring everyone to compete.
WEMBY'S FIRST #NBAAllStar POINTS 👽Hops into the lane and stuffs it with the left!Chuck's Global Stars 14 PTS away from 40 on TNT 👀 pic.twitter.com/e998eS9CJU
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA NíO QUER SABER DE RELAXAR NO ALL-STARJÁ TEM 2 TOCOS NO JOGO pic.twitter.com/RG7bWFBAaQ
— Matchup Brasil 🇧🇷🏀 (@MatchupBR) February 17, 2025
The All-Stars are actually trying
Victor Wembanyama is here to play some All-Star game defense:
WEMBY BLOCKS CADE CUNNINGHAMHE ISN'T MESSING AROUND pic.twitter.com/XQdAYxloSG
— WembyMuse (@Wemby_Muse) February 17, 2025
Tyler Herro and Karl-Anthony Towns trading ridiculous 3s:
HERRO DRAINS THE 3. 👀KAT FOLLOWS UP FROM THE LOGO. 🎯First to 40 advances... #NBAAllStar on TNT pic.twitter.com/9zy0xPdb07
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025
In the first NBA All-Star tournament game, featuring Team Chuck vs. Team Kenny, it was Evan Mobley of Team Kenny who scored the first points of the new format.
In transition, the Cavs big man was on the receiving end of an alley-oop from Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams.
Mobley added another bucket as Team Chuck led 17-12 at the first timeout of the contest, which will be decided by the first to 40.
And we're underway. There's no game clock in these games. First team to 40 points in the semifinals wins.
Here are the rosters for the opening game:
Team Kenny
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota TimberwolvesJalen Brunson, New York KnicksJaren Jackson Jr., Memphis GrizzliesJalen Williams, Oklahoma City ThunderDarius Garland, Cleveland CavaliersEvan Mobley, Cleveland CavaliersCade Cunningham, Detroit PistonsTyler Herro, Miami Heat
vs.
Team Chuck
Nikola Jokić, Denver NuggetsTrae Young, Atlanta Hawks (replacing Giannis Antetokounmpo)Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City ThunderVictor Wembanyama, San Antonio SpursPascal Siakam, Indiana PacersAlperen Şengün, Houston RocketsKarl-Anthony Towns, New York KnicksDonovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
All-Star intros full of pomp and circumstance are over. Team Kenny vs. Team Chuck is up next.
Introducing Chuck's Global Stars!🌟 #NBAAllStar is LIVE on TNT pic.twitter.com/kc0nJ6QNDw
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025
Introducing Kenny's Young Stars!🌟 #NBAAllStar is LIVE on TNT pic.twitter.com/od0CL6nTbe
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, speaking before the All-Star Game, pledged to participate in a 1-on-1 battle next season, if the NBA decides to add the event to its festivities.
"If I had the chance to play 1-on-1 with anybody, I would love to do it," he said. "Anything that can make the weekend more exciting, more fun for the viewers, for the fans and for the players, I would love to participate. ... If it's a 1-on-1 competition, I would love to participate."
He gives himself a pretty good shot, too.
"I think sometimes you forget, to be a good 1-on-1 player, you've got to be able to play both ways," he said. "You've got to get a stop to get the ball. You don't get a stop, you're not getting the ball. It's kind of hard, say, if Kyrie Irving is going against [Victor Wembanyama]. He's got to get a stop. But it would be fun. It would be fun. I would love to participate if next year there's a 1-on-1 tournament. I would love to participate."
Is he sure?
"I can't make no promises," he said, "but if I'm healthy, I'd probably do it.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James will be sidelined for the All-Star Game on Sunday night, as he manages the ankle soreness that has plagued him for the past few seasons, ending his record-setting streak of 20 consecutive All-Star Game starts.
"I was hoping that it would feel a lot better this morning, but it's just not where I wanted it to be," said James. "With 30 games left and us trying to make a playoff push in the wild, wild West, I feel like it's very important for me to take care of myself and understand what was coming on.
"It is maintenance, but at the same time I have to look out for myself when it comes to this injury I've been dealing with for years."
James flew from Los Angeles to San Francisco on Sunday and will return later in the night.
"There will be no vacation for me," he said. "I head back to L.A. tonight and back to the rehab tomorrow and getting ready for practice on Tuesday."
His availability for Wednesday's home game against the Charlotte Hornets is questionable.
More on James' absence.
SAN FRANCISCO — NBA commissioner Adam Silver sees all and hears all: the praise of where his game is or, most importantly, the constant critique the NBA is subject to, almost on a daily basis.
The never-ending 3-point discussion, one that even he has chimed in on at times.
The money element, the financial decisions that have played a big part in trades involving Luka Dončić, Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns, and the standoff with Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat.
The officiating, the challenges with a million camera angles and a million more opinions on social media and in NBA locker rooms.
And he's even contributed to it in ways, jokingly throwing gasoline onto the discourse by suggesting 10-minute quarters instead of the usual 12 — a suggestion that earned a decent amount of criticism.
'I try to read it all, frankly, and we try to absorb it at the league office,' Silver said during his annual news conference at All-Star Weekend inside Chase Center. 'I think the state of the game is excellent. I think it's the media's role, the fans' role, it's perfectly appropriate to be critical of the game, and I find it very helpful. I'm not one of those people who said I don't read criticism.'
How Silver is trying to shape the league.
Nobody was beating Mac McClung in his three-peat bid.
The Magic G Leaguer was once again the runaway slam dunk contest winner for his third-straight title Saturday night in a performance for the ages. He started things with a dunk worthy of a closer and continued to wow with each successive dunk. Each of McClung's dunks earned a perfect 50 score.
Catch up on all of NBA All-Star Saturday night.